Tag Archives: NFFF

John Voci from NEPR sat down at my dining table with me a couple months ago and we spoke about Better Angels for about 45 minutes. He put together this really lovely piece about the Springfield Museums exhibit that scrolls … Continue reading →

The exhibit has been open for barely three weeks now. It looks wonderful on its custom-built wall. A week ago I gave a 45-minute talk, which was a first. I spent days putting it together. Keeping it to 45 minutes … Continue reading →

Thankfully we had a clear blue sky delivery day to bring BETTER ANGELS to the Springfield Museum in Springfield MA. Still two weeks until the opening. I rented a larger truck than I have every driven to have loading dock … Continue reading →

As a small child, Fathey Mychal Judge sometimes gave his only quarter to a beggar on the street. Having lost his own father when he was six, Judge shined shoes at Penn Station to help his family survive. He would … Continue reading →

Deputy Commissioner William Feehan, 71, was rumored to know the location of every single fire hydrant in New York City. When named Chief of Department in 1992, he was the first to have held every possible rank within the department. … Continue reading →

Chief of Department Peter Ganci, Jr. was the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the FDNY. He was three days shy of his 33rd anniversary with the department. This “smoke eating guy,” was a fireman’s fireman and beloved by his men. In … Continue reading →

Assistant Chief Donald Burns, 61, had a 39-year career in the FDNY. On 9/11 he was a Citywide Tour Commander. Burns had set up a command center in the South Tower just minutes before it collapsed. Decorated five times during … Continue reading →

Assistant Deputy Chief Gerard “Gerry” Barbara, 53, was a Citywide Tour Commander. This 31-year FDNY veteran arrived on the scene before the second tower was hit. He then took the role of Incident Commander in Tower Two. Earlier in his … Continue reading →

Battalion Chief John Paolillo was promoted to Deputy Chief of Special Operations Command, although the FDNY still lists him as BC of Battalion 11 on their memorial pages with an asterisk designating a posthumous promotion. Paolillo was acting in his … Continue reading →

BC Raymond Downey, in charge of Special Operations Command was a legend at 63. Affectionately referred to as “God” and “Master of Disaster,” he was one of the most experienced firefighters in the world. When “Better Angels” traveled the country, … Continue reading →

BETTER ANGELS ON DISPLAY

at the Wood Museum of Springfield History in Springfield MA through July 10, 2016. springfieldmuseums.org
To LEAVE A MEMORY or COMMENT about any of these men, go to their painting in THE 343 section. Double click on the painting and it will enlarge. Scroll down and leave a message. These comments will stay with the paintings as long as this website exists.
One FIREFIGHTER painting and a short STORY about him are posted every day, in order by company: facebook.com/betterangels911/